My Top 10 List for 2006

It seems as if it's required that every blogger post a Top 10 list for their subject matter. For us art bloggers, that means top shows for the year. This is challenging... though I've seen likely hundreds of shows this year, when I sat down to do this, I could barely think of any. Additionally, what about the shows I haven't seen? You, the reader, have no idea what I've seen so how do you know what is being excluded? If you remember all of my posts from 2006, you may recognize some that are left out. But there are many shows that I didn't even mention. I guess the point of these posts is to note what shows were thought of in high enough regard to be mentioned here. And they are just fun to create and fun to read. So please, other art bloggers, get to work!

Top 10 Shows of 2006

1) Hiroshi Sugimoto @ the Hirshhorn

This show was the epitome of beauty, both in terms of the work shown and how it was presented. I don't believe I will ever forget the feeling I got when I walked into the large, completely dark room with brightly illuminated seascapes. No other show (or room) took my breath away like this.

2) redefined: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection @ Corcoran

A great, national/international level art show? Nah. But I saw this show probably 7 times and each time took away something new. At a time when the Corcoran is undergoing lots of changes internally, and at a time when exhibitions of permanent collections are popular, I felt this show stood up very well.

3) Ellsworth Kelly: Paris/New York, 1949–1959 @ Philly Museum of Art

I didn't love every piece in this show, nor did I really love the show itself. However, it piqued my interest in Kelly's work and prompted me to look more closely. Since I saw this show I've read numerous Kelly books and sought out all of his shows (including the ones up in NYC right now). Kelly's work doesn't move me spiritually or anything, but I have a deeper appreciation for his work. Plus, his work has provided much inspiration for some of my work in development now.

4) Fred Sandback in Chelsea

I wrote about Sandback's current show(s) in Chelsea just the other day and it's still on my mind. I found the presentation to be museum quality and the work to be suberb. I admire anyone who can get so much from so little.

5) John Beech at G Fine Art

My favorite commercial gallery show in DC during 2006. I talk a good amount about the show in the link above. It's another that has stuck with me over time and from which I will be stealing some things for my own work.

6) Robert Bechtle at Corcoran

A show that I never expected to get much from but that rewarded me regardless. I can't say that this was a show from which I will steal for my own work, but it is a show I appreciate. Bechtle is extremely talented and his works on paper are the real treasures in my opinion.

7) Robin Rose at Hemphill

Suberb presentation combined with complete mastery of chosen medium deserves a place on this list. I admittedly didn't like every piece in the show, but the installation as a whole sang out loud. It was a delight.

8) Wilson Building Art Collection

How great is it that there is now a collection of art in Washington, D.C. by D.C. artists? It's very great! We need to continue to acknowledge how much we appreciate the city putting together a collection like this. Sure, it has faults, but they can be corrected/improved over time. Let's hope that the collection continues to grow in years to come... there's plenty of room in the building for more art.

9) Fresh Paint at Arlington Arts Center

I really enjoyed this painting show at the non-profit AAC in art non-mecca Arlington, VA. Typically, it wouldn't make my Top 10 List (it's not really a Top 10 show), but during a year where I was repeatedly disappointed by the shows at the AAC, I want to acknowledge a great success. I received numerous emails from other artists expressing their enjoyment of this show too. Here's hoping that the AAC can leverage this success and mount other quality shows.

10) "Framed" at the Greater Reston Arts Center & "Nature|Nurture" at Red Door Gallery

I did it last year and by golly I'm doing it again this year. 2006 has been a banner year for me: 2 solo shows, a museum acquisition, gallery "representation," and repeated record prices for sales. I set out in 2006 to really push my work and I feel I've done that. Take a look at the installation photos from both shows (here and here)... there were really just 5 months between them. The reaction to the work has been inspiring and for me, as an artist, there were no better shows. These shows are me, and very important to me as a result. When looking back on the year past, I would be foolish not to acknowledge the impact these two shows had on me.

Honorable Mention
- Anselm Keifer @ the Hirshhorn

Each year when I read other people's Top 10 Lists, I always find a show or two that I forgot but that deserves mentioning. With that in mind, I reserve the right to update this list over time if necessary. I think 2005 was a better year in terms of the shows I saw, but it wasn't half bad. I'm looking forward to what 2007 has to offer.

Comments

[[someone]]

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[someone].